| Leadership is a very mysterious thing. Who has it, | | | | to get them to do what it is you want them to |
| who doesn't, how can you tell, and does it really | | | | do. It's obvious that leadership is a very |
| mean anything? Well, I believe it means a lot. But | | | | misunderstood term. |
| the truth is it only means a lot to the person who | | | | The best definition I found at Merriam-Webster |
| has it and exudes it. That's you. | | | | was "Capacity to lead", which is quite vague if you |
| In my opinion, it doesn't mean a hill of beans to | | | | ask me. It can fit towards my belief of what |
| anyone else if you have leadership qualities | | | | "leadership" means. But it doesn't get to the core |
| because "they" could care less and you almost | | | | meaning I have so I then looked up the word |
| always don't get paid more for having it. For | | | | "lead" and it's no wonder there's so much |
| example, no one will walk up to you and say I | | | | confusion around understanding "lead" and |
| just noticed you have "leadership skills" based on | | | | "leadership." I found about 17 different definitions |
| the actions you just completed and as such you | | | | o f which I liked "to guide someone or something |
| will now get paid more in life for having them. | | | | along the way" the best. |
| On the other hand, if you have "leadership skills" | | | | I see leadership as helping people do, have, or |
| as mentioned in this article, then over time you | | | | become that which they want for themselves but |
| will reap rewards from using them because as Zig | | | | don't have the courage to do themselves. You |
| Ziglar says, "If you'll just help enough other people | | | | see in simple terms, leadership is how well you |
| get what they want then you'll get what you | | | | help others that ultimately brings out the best |
| want." The problem exists in how one defines | | | | within themselves. |
| leadership. We'll take a look at how I define it | | | | Influence is often construed more negatively in |
| here. | | | | that you might influence others to get your |
| You see some people mistake longevity in a | | | | agenda completed or for personal gain. And that's |
| position or experience with leadership. I don't | | | | okay as long as everyone benefits from the act |
| agree and you can see that when elected officials | | | | of influencing. Unfortunately most of the time only |
| are not re-elected. Why aren't they re-elected? | | | | the person doing the influencing benefits. |
| Because they lack leadership; the true meaning of | | | | As you can see, its possible influencing can be |
| leadership; to serve others. | | | | either of a positive or negative nature and |
| I was interviewed recently by a well respected | | | | research shows that if you utilize positive |
| organization and was asked about my leadership | | | | leadership skills you'll get improved results 70% of |
| skills. I told them that I lead by example. Or in | | | | the time over only 15% of the time when |
| other words I show leadership by doing what I | | | | working in a negative way. And even if you are |
| would expect another leader to do or that which I | | | | successful when negatively influencing others, |
| would expect my colleagues to do, with the | | | | they will know it and won't respect you or like |
| exception of doing more, doing it faster, and doing | | | | you for having done so. As a result, in my mind |
| it better. Things that Brian Tracy talk about. I go | | | | you will have lost your ability to lead those people |
| the extra mile, I show up on time, I encourage | | | | you are trying to be a leader to, ultimately |
| and lift up others and so on. | | | | sabotaging your efforts to lead. |
| Now their meaning of leadership was different | | | | Be a leader who leads by example. Do and be |
| from mine. They confused leadership with | | | | willing to do that which you are asking others to |
| influence. What they were really asking is how are | | | | do and always encourage others to do things that |
| you in your ability to influence and persuade | | | | will benefit them and you will become a |
| people to buy into your idea or concept in order | | | | meaningful leader. |